Wow...I thought I was done with with Ardbeg Special Releases and haven't bought one in awhile but my cousin MeadeMule gave me a sample of this one and I really enjoyed the savory and brine notes in this one. Great video Erik!
Couldn't find the Committee Release but got the Ardbeg Day release for $135. I'm enjoying the first pour! Definitely agree that it's not super complex... but there's almost a minty character to it on the nose and a little bit on the palate. I drink a lot of smoky whiskeys so the smoke wasn't that overpowering to me. It's definitely more of a charred smoke than a pure peat smoke though. A nice experiment and the 12th Ardbeg in my collection. Thanks for the review Erik!
I just cracked it for breakfast in Australia. been about 6 months since I cracked a bottle and am so happy I cracked this. I am a peat head, so I don't get it on the nose so much anymore. This Ardbeg I can finally get some smoke or peat on the nose! right up my alley
Have tried the 46%. More tamed and relaxed. But the backend really sticks to the pallet. Reminds me of a very deep BBQ smoke, mesquite. Got it from Systembolaget in SE at market price. I agree, would not pay a dollar more above Market. Only exception to that is the Dark Cove CR. That’s my favorite of all time
Erik, I respect and value your opinions, but I am one of the ones who disagrees with your take on this one. Not disagreeing at all on your description-it isn’t terribly complex or multi layered, but I love it for what it is. That huge smack of peat and fire is right up my alley, so I love it. I would agree, don’t play over retail for it, but I like it and will drink it on its own happily. Keep up your great reviews!
Thanks for this honest unbiased review. A local store has it at msrp and I just might pull the trigger on it based on your comments. I love Ardbeg generally so I feel I just have to add this to the collection, even if it's not as complex as others in the lineup. Your idea of adding it to the 10 is brilliant too!
Hi Erik, excellent and honest review. I have ordered a bottle of the general release at my local whisky shop. Looking forward to getting this bottle. Cheers from Germany
A solid and straightforward review... Given the current price which was $144 and steadying increasing, I’ll stick with the 10 yo, Uigeadail, Corryvrekan and Drum. Cheers!
Love these videos. Always a pleasure to watch and hear your perspective. Have you ever considered an Ardbeg exclusive infinity bottle? Though an infinity bottle would be all over the place with flavor and notes
I appreciate the review. After spending big on AAAAArdbeg and being underwhelmed, I didn't feel like going big again on Scorch. I loved the last Supernova release, so maybe it's for me, but it is just too much of a risk. Too bad because I loved Blaaaack! and Dark Cove. I guess they can't all be winners.
I’ve only had one glass but I quite enjoyed the intensity. I wish that I could get my hands on the Alligator to compare them but I think that ship has long sailed.
I definitely got the charcoal and brine on this one. I didn't find a huge peatiness though. At least not more than the 10yo. It's a heavily charred and very smoky whisky but not that peated to me. You're right that it is simpler. I think the extra barrel char adds quite a lot of refinement (or is that simplification?). For which the complexity and especially the finish suffer quite a bit. Folks on my channel asked if I would buy it again (if possible) and I said probably not... although I would be tempted. I do like it and prefer it to Ardbeg Alligator and I think it's worth £100 for the unique experience but that's about it. Take a look at my review if you have a few minutes to spare :-) cheers.
Great review Erik. I've been pretty disappointed with recent Committee releases as they have not been better than the core range IMO. Ardbeg has gone down the path of gimmicky whiskies and their appeal is fading for me.
When I first opened my Scorch CR I thought I had a bad bottle, as almost nothing was there. It then went into a "mostly char and ash" phase and I almost lost faith. Eventually it fully opened up and then it was fantastic. Finished it with a friend on Friday. I had never had a scotch be so closed up at the start. I'd be curious to see if after 9mo you've noticed any change/improvement. Also very curious to hear if you came up with any specific mixture as I'll give it a try on bottle 2.
Ardbeg hit gold with Dark Cove but everything since seems lackluster? (I haven't tried Kelpie). I only got to try Dark Cove thanks to a friend being nearly finished his bottle, it's an easy top shelf for me. My next favourite Ardbeg is An Oa. I liked Drum more than my friends though.
Decided not to get involved in the never ending Ardbeg new limited releases caper. Its all a bit much now.Luckily the core ranges are excellent and theres enough quality there.
i have just started my whisky journey and i live in sweden. Does anyone know any good site to order whisky from that is possible to ship to sweden or that are in sweden that i cant find in normal stores here?
Thanks Erik, for the honest review! If it's 87 on its own, what would you give the 50/50 Scorch/Ten blend? Have you tried blending it with others from the core range?
I'm SO focused on my current Sherry & Sherry Cask finished whiskies I need to quickly refocus and get at them. But I may do some more comparisons in a live stream.
This is awesome! Erik, I joined the Ardbeg Committee, I received an email on May 1st announcing Scorch was out for sale but didn't see a link to do so, is that how you do it? cheers
Quite a few years ago, they decided there were too many registered committee members to offer online orders from the distillery direct. Sorry, you’ll have to establish a relationship With a local liquor store to get a bottle.
I give it 65 points. This is terribly young whisky. Terrible balance, basically undrinkable. The fact that it needs to be mixed with other whisky to make it palatable it nuts for a $150 bottle. Crazy. Crazy.
$55 seems to be the going price for the Ardbeg 10 in my neighborhood as well. I would only buy the Scorch IF you are a BIG Ardbeg fan and want one for your collection.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I went with the $180 Arrrrrrdbeg. A lot better than a $200 compromise of two expressions! :) Thanks for such an amazing channel. Been watching a lot of your videos. Love it!
The Arrrrrdbeg here in Ohio is $40 more than the Scorched ($140 vs. $180). Though you like the Arrrrdbeg more, the Scorched a better value in your opinion?
There’s enjoyable and then there’s fun whiskies. Scorch is a Fun whisky. Its the whiskey you bring out at the end of tasting event to destroy any remaining taste buds!
Erik, you are making me so jealous. The only Ardbeg that can be found in Ontario is the 10yo. I think Scotland is not send us anything new because I haven't been able to find anything new since this plandemic started 14 months ago.
These committee releases are just too rich for my taste; I'll just wait for the standard release. This is all about recharged casks & high ABV, and not more heavily-peated malt or a different distillation protocol, correct? I mean Ardbeg spirit is still Ardbeg spirit; so not sure how it would come off smokier than say Ardbeg 5 apples to apples (i.e. at the same proof), unless it's about the same age or younger? 🤔
Sorry but it is etrem over priced for people they dont know whats to do whit her mony for that price can two bottles of much better Whiskys but this is only my opinion. Thanks for the Video great like alltime : )
I like the way you occasionally mix whiskies to achieve a better balance and improve complexity.
Wow...I thought I was done with with Ardbeg Special Releases and haven't bought one in awhile but my cousin MeadeMule gave me a sample of this one and I really enjoyed the savory and brine notes in this one. Great video Erik!
Couldn't find the Committee Release but got the Ardbeg Day release for $135. I'm enjoying the first pour! Definitely agree that it's not super complex... but there's almost a minty character to it on the nose and a little bit on the palate. I drink a lot of smoky whiskeys so the smoke wasn't that overpowering to me. It's definitely more of a charred smoke than a pure peat smoke though. A nice experiment and the 12th Ardbeg in my collection. Thanks for the review Erik!
Wish me luck in finding a bottle of the 46 percenter at the BC Liquor Store Premium Spirits Release in November...
I just cracked it for breakfast in Australia.
been about 6 months since I cracked a bottle and am so happy I cracked this.
I am a peat head, so I don't get it on the nose so much anymore.
This Ardbeg I can finally get some smoke or peat on the nose!
right up my alley
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Erik, thanks for the HONEST review. That’s all that matters.
Have tried the 46%. More tamed and relaxed. But the backend really sticks to the pallet. Reminds me of a very deep BBQ smoke, mesquite. Got it from Systembolaget in SE at market price. I agree, would not pay a dollar more above Market. Only exception to that is the Dark Cove CR. That’s my favorite of all time
Erik, I respect and value your opinions, but I am one of the ones who disagrees with your take on this one. Not disagreeing at all on your description-it isn’t terribly complex or multi layered, but I love it for what it is. That huge smack of peat and fire is right up my alley, so I love it. I would agree, don’t play over retail for it, but I like it and will drink it on its own happily. Keep up your great reviews!
Great review. They can't all be dark cove, super or kildalton.
For me I gotta have it. Cheers
Thanks for this honest unbiased review. A local store has it at msrp and I just might pull the trigger on it based on your comments. I love Ardbeg generally so I feel I just have to add this to the collection, even if it's not as complex as others in the lineup. Your idea of adding it to the 10 is brilliant too!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Erik, excellent and honest review. I have ordered a bottle of the general release at my local whisky shop. Looking forward to getting this bottle. Cheers from Germany
i am in the camp that things, "let's push that peat!" Thanks for sharing, and cheers!
A solid and straightforward review...
Given the current price which was $144 and steadying increasing, I’ll stick with the 10 yo, Uigeadail, Corryvrekan and Drum. Cheers!
Love these videos. Always a pleasure to watch and hear your perspective. Have you ever considered an Ardbeg exclusive infinity bottle? Though an infinity bottle would be all over the place with flavor and notes
I appreciate this type of review.
I appreciate the review. After spending big on AAAAArdbeg and being underwhelmed, I didn't feel like going big again on Scorch. I loved the last Supernova release, so maybe it's for me, but it is just too much of a risk. Too bad because I loved Blaaaack! and Dark Cove. I guess they can't all be winners.
Sounds like I’ll not miss this one. Thank you.
Thanks as always for the great and honest review.
Looking forward to our Ardbeg's next best -- I'm huge on peat
I’ve only had one glass but I quite enjoyed the intensity. I wish that I could get my hands on the Alligator to compare them but I think that ship has long sailed.
If you are in the EU. Shops in DK have many bottles of Alligator
Yes the Super-Reckan Blend!! Fantastic!
So good!
Thanks Erik, interesting review, I’ve just had a neck pour so far and quite liked it. I will Defo do the blend with the 10 yr old.
I definitely got the charcoal and brine on this one. I didn't find a huge peatiness though. At least not more than the 10yo. It's a heavily charred and very smoky whisky but not that peated to me. You're right that it is simpler. I think the extra barrel char adds quite a lot of refinement (or is that simplification?). For which the complexity and especially the finish suffer quite a bit. Folks on my channel asked if I would buy it again (if possible) and I said probably not... although I would be tempted. I do like it and prefer it to Ardbeg Alligator and I think it's worth £100 for the unique experience but that's about it. Take a look at my review if you have a few minutes to spare :-) cheers.
Woww....Scorching review Erik!
Great review Erik. I've been pretty disappointed with recent Committee releases as they have not been better than the core range IMO. Ardbeg has gone down the path of gimmicky whiskies and their appeal is fading for me.
Thanks for watching.
Sounds like an intense blast of Islay! I hope there’s a regular Scorch release. I don’t need the Committee Release. Great review Erik🥃
Great review sir!
Glad you liked it!
When I first opened my Scorch CR I thought I had a bad bottle, as almost nothing was there. It then went into a "mostly char and ash" phase and I almost lost faith. Eventually it fully opened up and then it was fantastic. Finished it with a friend on Friday.
I had never had a scotch be so closed up at the start. I'd be curious to see if after 9mo you've noticed any change/improvement. Also very curious to hear if you came up with any specific mixture as I'll give it a try on bottle 2.
I had the same experience!
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Glad I'm not the only one. Did you ever end up coming up with a particular mixture and ratio you liked with this?
Ardbeg hit gold with Dark Cove but everything since seems lackluster? (I haven't tried Kelpie). I only got to try Dark Cove thanks to a friend being nearly finished his bottle, it's an easy top shelf for me. My next favourite Ardbeg is An Oa. I liked Drum more than my friends though.
Great review good sir
Thank you kindly
Sounds like one I would be interested to try. Will you be revisiting or doing a SBS with the Ardbeg Day release when it comes out?
Yes!
Decided not to get involved in the never ending Ardbeg new limited releases caper. Its all a bit much now.Luckily the core ranges are excellent and theres enough quality there.
i have just started my whisky journey and i live in sweden. Does anyone know any good site to order whisky from that is possible to ship to sweden or that are in sweden that i cant find in normal stores here?
Try using "Wine Searcher" search engine. I don't know if it will help you in Sweden but it will provide numerous retailers that ship whisky.
Thanks Erik, for the honest review! If it's 87 on its own, what would you give the 50/50 Scorch/Ten blend? Have you tried blending it with others from the core range?
I'm SO focused on my current Sherry & Sherry Cask finished whiskies I need to quickly refocus and get at them. But I may do some more comparisons in a live stream.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I am looking forward to it!
This is awesome! Erik, I joined the Ardbeg Committee, I received an email on May 1st announcing Scorch was out for sale but didn't see a link to do so, is that how you do it? cheers
Quite a few years ago, they decided there were too many registered committee members to offer online orders from the distillery direct. Sorry, you’ll have to establish a relationship
With a local liquor store to get a bottle.
I got both of them
Nice review.
We're did you pick it up?
A local retailer got it for me.
How does this compare to the octomore's?
Octomores are heavily peated but don't have the charred oak character. So the smoke. is very different.
Is it more peat or smoke?
There is peat smoke and there is wood smoke. I get more wood smoke.
They do a non-committee release eventually right? At a lower proof? I wonder what the lower proof option would be like.
Yes, I mentioned it in the video.
Just picked up a bottle...
not a fans for supernova, thanks for the review, so i can pass this one unless i spot it in bar
Thanks for watching!
I give it 65 points. This is terribly young whisky. Terrible balance, basically undrinkable. The fact that it needs to be mixed with other whisky to make it palatable it nuts for a $150 bottle. Crazy. Crazy.
I respect your opinion and anticipate many will agree with you.
The Scorch in my area is $140, The Ten is $55. Is the combination worth ~$200? That is a lot of money.
$55 seems to be the going price for the Ardbeg 10 in my neighborhood as well. I would only buy the Scorch IF you are a BIG Ardbeg fan and want one for your collection.
@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I went with the $180 Arrrrrrdbeg. A lot better than a $200 compromise of two expressions! :) Thanks for such an amazing channel. Been watching a lot of your videos. Love it!
I gave it 88p, 138us dollars in Sweden,.
Think Blaaaack and Arrrrrrrrdbeg is better but Scorch beats Kelpie and Perpetuum👍🏻
The Arrrrrdbeg here in Ohio is $40 more than the Scorched ($140 vs. $180). Though you like the Arrrrdbeg more, the Scorched a better value in your opinion?
If I had to choose between Arrrrrdbeg and Scotch I'd go with Arrrrrdbeg!
There’s enjoyable and then there’s fun whiskies. Scorch is a Fun whisky. Its the whiskey you bring out at the end of tasting event to destroy any remaining taste buds!
Erik, you are making me so jealous. The only Ardbeg that can be found in Ontario is the 10yo. I think Scotland is not send us anything new because I haven't been able to find anything new since this plandemic started 14 months ago.
@@PaulEcosse I wish I could send you a Confederation Oak. I was at the LCBO today and could easily have picked one up for you.
These committee releases are just too rich for my taste; I'll just wait for the standard release.
This is all about recharged casks & high ABV, and not more heavily-peated malt or a different distillation protocol, correct? I mean Ardbeg spirit is still Ardbeg spirit; so not sure how it would come off smokier than say Ardbeg 5 apples to apples (i.e. at the same proof), unless it's about the same age or younger? 🤔
Sorry but it is etrem over priced for people they dont know whats to do whit her mony
for that price can two bottles of much better Whiskys but this is only my opinion.
Thanks for the Video great like alltime : )
Personally, I’m done with Ardbeg special releases. Overpriced with no age statement. I’m not going to pay 300% more just for a gimmick cask finish.
*110% True, because, better 3 nice Bottles, than 1 for the same Price ;)*
I'm having Ardbeg 10 × Highland Park 12 tonight. Scorch is on my watch list.